Ill wants margins
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EVERY operator ought to have a margin for Increase on his licence, according to South Wales Licensing Authority John Mervyn Pugh.
Mervyn Pugh granted Blackwood haulier Melvyn D Owen an additional vehicle and trailer, on the understanding that the vehicle was a margin vehicle only, but refused to authorise another vehicle and trailer Owen required to meet an increase in business. He also reduced the duration of the licence by two years, so that it now expires at the end of August 1992.
Owen, whose existing licence authorised two vehicles, appeared before the LA because of an overloading conviction.
The 7.5-tonne boxvan concerned was found to have a '17% overload on its front axle. It was explained that it had been loaded with consignments for Abingdon and London. The driver disobeyed instructions to deliver the Abingdon consignment first.
A white line had since been painted on the floor of the vehicle where the centre of the load should be. Two vehicles had been stopped since then without any overloading problem being found.
Mervyn Pugh said that a serious overload showed that Owen had not really been in control of his driver. so he did not feel he was ready for a fleet as large as four vehicles and two trailers.
Owen really had to take his responsibilities much more seriously. If Owen went for three months without any other convictions, he would be prepared to consider a further variation application.